The MLB Cost Index is one measure of how well your GM did over the course of the offseason and during the season. The Index takes a look at the payrolls for each team and calculates a Cost per Win number. Pretty simple stuff right? But in the wide open world of baseball with no salary cap, it’s the best way we can think of to judge teams on a level (monetary) playing field.
There isn’t much change at the top of these rankings except the Brewers, 7-3 in their last ten and leading the NL Central (yes, we checked it twice), moved into the top 10. Meanwhile, the Mariners, losers of 6 in a row have dropped all the way down to 29. This was the biggest drop this week. The Blue Jays and Cardinals also fell after a bad week.
The complete MLB Cost Index after the jump.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (2) | Devil Rays | $24.1 | 18 | 7 | $2.68 | $0.38 | |
| 2 (1) | Marlins | $30.5 | 18 | 8 | $3.39 | $0.42 | |
| 3 (5) | Pirates | $38.6 | 17 | 7 | $4.05 | $0.58 | |
| 4 (6) | Padres | $58.2 | 19 | 11 | $6.83 | $0.62 | |
| 5 (3) | D’backs | $52.1 | 20 | 10 | $6.43 | $0.64 | |
| 6 (10) | Rockies | $54.4 | 20 | 10 | $6.72 | $0.67 | |
| 7 (4) | Indians | $61.7 | 15 | 8 | $5.71 | $0.71 | |
| 8 (8) | Twins | $71.4 | 18 | 11 | $7.93 | $0.72 | |
| 9 (11) | Brewers | $72.0 | 18 | 11 | $8.00 | $0.73 | |
| 10 (13) | Nationals | $37.3 | 19 | 6 | $4.37 | $0.73 | |
| 11 (9) | Braves | $89.5 | 18 | 12 | $9.94 | $0.83 | |
| 12 (7) | Reds | $69.1 | 19 | 9 | $8.10 | $0.90 | |
| 13 (16) | Rangers | $68.8 | 18 | 8 | $7.64 | $0.96 | |
| 14 (21) | Orioles | $95.1 | 18 | 11 | $10.57 | $0.96 | |
| 15 (14) | Dodgers | $108.7 | 19 | 13 | $12.75 | $0.98 | |
| 16 (19) | A’s | $79.9 | 18 | 9 | $8.88 | $0.99 | |
| 17 (23) | Astros | $87.8 | 17 | 9 | $9.21 | $1.02 | |
| 18 (28) | Giants | $90.5 | 17 | 9 | $9.50 | $1.06 | |
| 19 (15) | Tigers | $95.2 | 18 | 10 | $10.58 | $1.06 | |
| 20 (12) | Blue Jays | $79.9 | 18 | 8 | $8.88 | $1.11 | |
| 21 (20) | Mets | $117.9 | 17 | 11 | $12.37 | $1.12 | |
| 22 (26) | Royals | $67.4 | 18 | 6 | $7.49 | $1.25 | |
| 23 (17) | Cardinals | $90.3 | 18 | 8 | $10.03 | $1.25 | |
| 24 (24) | Red Sox | $143.5 | 17 | 12 | $15.06 | $1.25 | |
| 25 (25) | White Sox | $109.7 | 17 | 9 | $11.51 | $1.28 | |
| 26 (22) | Angels | $109.3 | 18 | 9 | $12.14 | $1.35 | |
| 27 (29) | Phillies | $89.4 | 17 | 6 | $9.38 | $1.56 | |
| 28 (27) | Cubs | $99.9 | 18 | 7 | $11.10 | $1.59 | |
| 29 (18) | Mariners | $106.5 | 14 | 5 | $9.20 | $1.84 | |
| 30 (30) | Yankees | $195.2 | 17 | 8 | $20.48 | $2.56 |
